Throughout our history, technological innovations have been the instrument of our transformation. Singapore, a tiny island in terms of size, is leveraging on technology as it advances into its next stage of development.

Defined as the most "technology-ready" nation in 2018 by the World Economic Forum, Singapore ranks 5th on the UN Human Development Index and the 3rd highest GDP per capita. It is ranked highly in education, healthcare, life expectancy, quality of life, personal safety and housing. For such an advanced nation, embracing digital technology is essential to reach its next stage of development: to be a smart nation.

For Singapore, being a Smart Nation is about creating new opportunities in a digital age, and transforming the way people live, work and play. On top of that, being a Smart Nation is about achieving efficiencies and effectiveness, through the use of sensors and data to manage the city’s resources and everyday challenges. One such challenge facing Singapore is in the area of energy management.

Singapore has been looking for ways to lower the energy consumption of its buildings, a sector responsible for more than one-third of its …

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A Smart Hub to share energy efficient measures for the building sector

Singapore has been looking for ways to lower the energy consumption of its buildings, a sector responsible for more than one-third of its total electricity consumption. While the island-state is small, it has over 4,500 high-rise buildings. Finding ways to lower the energy consumption of this sector is vital, as Singapore has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 36% by 2030.

With this backdrop, the Building and Construction Authority launched the Super Low Energy Programme in September 2018. This programme aims to improve energy efficiency in non-residential buildings. Buildings which achieve at least 60% energy savings by adopting energy efficient measures and do not exceed consumption levels of more than 100 KWh per square metre a year will earn the status of a Super Low Energy Building (SLEB).

To help BCA achieve its goal, Hitachi has been tasked to develop the SLEB Smart Hub, a smart resource centre hosting a centralised national database of energy-efficiency data and latest green technologies for buildings. By leveraging Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, the SLEB Smart Hub will offer shared experiences, best practices and expert recommendations, which will accelerate the adoption of green technologies in the building sector.

With this innovative platform, it moves Singapore another step closer to achieving the national target of greening 80% of its buildings by 2030.

Singapore is not just focused within urban buildings. It is also renowned for its commitment to safety of its residents in public areas…

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Reinforcing public safety in urban areas with AI-enhanced security systems

Singapore is not just focused within urban buildings. It is also renowned for its commitment to safety of its residents in public areas. Singapore has outperformed in this aspect, as 94% of Singaporean adults feel safe walking alone at night, compared to the global average of 68%.

Singapore has also earned the #2 spot in the 2017 Safe Cities Index. In the sub-index of personal security, Singapore is ranked #1 for its AI-enhanced CCTV security infrastructure. The country is anchoring its cutting-edge security system around a commonplace street object: lamp posts.

As the spine of the Smart National Sensor Platform, lamp posts are being used to transmit data gathered from CCTVs and sensors around the country. The data is collated in a central platform, where AI is then used to analyse the information to detect anomalies and threats.

The government has also been working with building owners to update their security measures. Clear guidelines has been given to building owners to safeguard against terrorist threats.

Hitachi is playing a part in reinforcing urban security by supporting Northpoint City with its security system. Security is critical to Northpoint City as it serves around 210,000 people living in the northern part of Singapore.

Hitachi is supporting Northpoint City in a behind-the-scenes role by providing security and building facilities systems. This includes the design, fabrication and delivery of physical security system, such as monitoring camera system and storage system for recorded camera images.

Using state-of-the-art video and data analytics tolls, Hitachi has empowered Northpoint city to leverage on security technology for marketing purposes as well. This allows them to obtain actionable business intelligence for functions such as measures the footfalls into the stores, which will help to assess their marketing activities and improve sales efforts.

Besides safety, Singapore is also concerned about the health of its residents. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Singapore…

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Proton Therapy System: preparing for the cancer tsunami to come

Besides safety, Singapore is also concerned about the health of its residents. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Singapore. In 2015, cancer was the cause of close to 30% of deaths in Singapore. Health experts has warned of a cancer tsunami, where 1-in-3 Singaporeans will get cancer in their lifetime.

Proton therapy is a cutting-edge cancer treatment that reduces side effects commonly found in conventional radiotherapy. Proton therapy destroys cancer cells using positively charged subatomic particles. This allows for more precise targeting of a tumour, compared with the X-rays used in standard radiotherapy. The system works by sending protons to the site of the tumour, where they release their energy. The healthy cells in front of the tumour get a low dose of radiation, and the ones behind it are not exposed at all.

This will be the first comprehensive Proton Therapy Centre in Southeast Asia and it is expected to benefit up to 1,000 patients a year. Conditions that can be treated by the Proton Therapy System include specific paediatric tumours, while other clinical applications are being reviewed by a national committee appointed by the Ministry of Health.

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Technology plays a key role in preparing Singapore for its next stage of growth
Technology will always play a key role in the growth of country, no matter the stage of its economic development. Singapore is leaning heavily on technology to become a smart nation and overcome some of its social innovation challenges. Hitachi looks to work hand-in-hand with Singapore policymakers and help to co-create a better future for Singapore in the near future.

At Hitachi, our expertise in IT and Operational Technology helps to advance social innovation and raise the quality of life in the communities we serve.